Phew, we narrowly escaped. If North Carolina’s governor had to be a Republican, the Aces’ series for the Stanley Cup would have been played in Trumpist states.
Nevada, Texas and of course Florida with Ron DeSantis are Republicans. And in Quebec, when we raise our pinky and pinch our lower lip while saying the handsome Donald’s name, be it in Vegas, Dallas or Miami, we feel a lot less ashamed of Donald’s absurd performances. Even last week, many at Home Depot or Office Depot, let alone Winn-Dixie or Costco, were very impressed by Trump’s appearance on CNN. The fake news network according to Donald.
But North Carolina saves the honor of Gary Bettman of New York and the northern benefactors who lead the United States, despite being a state with quite a reputation as a redneck. Though it requires some restraint since South Carolina, the other half of the Carolinas, has a Republican governor.
But let’s save the honor…
A TRUE FASCINATION
Still, these four aces are intriguing. Think about it, it’s the first time in National League history that all four teams have settled in the Sunbelt semifinals, unless there was an embarrassing oversight. This imaginary border separating the south from the north of the United States. Border that we follow when we go from Los Angeles to Sainte-Adèle by motorcycle. We’ll pass through Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Indiana before heading north to cross the border at Detroit. We don’t know this sunbelt United States at all. However, it is their teams that compete for the Stanley Cup, a trophy presented by Lord Stanley, the governor-general of a country… covered in snow.
SUN AND TAXES
It’s not just the Stanley Cup moving north to south. Americans too. Arizona, Texas and Florida welcome thousands of new residents every day. It comes from New York, Boston and Philadelphia in Florida to enjoy the sun and the absence of state taxes. The pandemic has shown how remote working can work and real estate agents are having the best years of their lives. Ditto for many Chicago and Cleveland residents who gravitate to Texas or Arizona.
If this is true of accountants, lawyers, and business people, tell yourself that this is also true of hockey players.
TERTIARY MARKETS
These four aces remain exciting. A special case are the Las Vegas Golden Knights, who are still all alone in the booming Vegas market.
But the other three teams have the dubious honor of often being the third or fourth largest sports team in their market in terms of popularity and importance. In other words, they must go to incredible lengths to stay afloat and capture their share of attention and market.
Do you think the stars will be in the spotlight in October, December or even Super Bowl week in Dallas? It’s just for the Cowboys, Rangers, Mavericks and all college and varsity football. The stars manage with tremendous effort to sell their tickets by targeting loyal customers, but the rest of the time they operate in the shadows. May and June are their chance to shine.
It’s the same situation in Sunrise Florida where the Panthers have to battle the Dolphins, the Marlins, the Heat, big teams like Florida State in football and, even worse, the beaches of Fort Lauderdale or South Beach.
Achieving the Quad is an exceptional marketing and recognition opportunity. It’s worth the effort to reach it.
As for Carolina, it’s a college, college and school football state, a Nascar racing state, a pickup truck state, a Gulf state… and as far as stakes go, hockey for the Hurricanes. If we add South Carolina, the sister state, there’s the NBA’s Hornets and the NFL’s Panthers. It’s hard to move.
This isn’t Montreal and Quebec where you can finish 27th and have all the love and attention all to yourself. Although there might be a consideration there.
EXTENSION C. MOVES
This aces square is signed by Gary Bettman. First, there’s no Canadian team to add to the already mediocre ratings in the US.
Two of the teams are the result of an expansion commissioned and directed by Gary Bettman. The Florida Panthers and the Las Vegas Golden Knights.
The other two teams are moves authorized and orchestrated by Bettman. The Dallas Stars are the late Minnesota North Stars, gorgeous green and gold jersey, and the Hurricanes, for the nostalgic, are the former Hartford Whalers who were born in the World Hockey Association with the Quebec Nordiques.
But all these weather-socio-economic-geographical and almost sporting reflections don’t bother me, even if they fascinate me.
Les Choqueux Bleux cry at home… the rest…
Thank you Patrick
The series is not over yet. Maybe the Remparts will win the Coupe Gilles-Courteau. Maybe not.
Win or lose, I take the lead and thank Patrick Roy. This man attained the exemplary maturity to devote years of leadership, training and education to young men at the Quebec Remparts.
He has a net worth that would allow him to be retired for thirty years. Not only did he not sit in his golf kart and watch the winters go by, he also invested body and soul in the sport of ice hockey, but above all in youth.
He has his faults. As whole beings have done. Only lukewarm are seemingly flawless. But the Bible says: God will spit out the lukewarm.
While I wait to chat about him with the National League, just two words to finish:
Thank you Patrick
